About the university

Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) is Japan’s most prestigious national university dedicated to fine arts, music, and creative disciplines. Founded in 1887, it has played a central role in shaping Japan’s modern art and cultural landscape. The university offers programs in painting, sculpture, design, architecture, music performance, composition, and film. It is known for its rigorous artistic training, studio-based learning, and collaboration with leading artists and cultural institutions. With campuses in Ueno and Toride, Geidai provides students access to museums, galleries, and Tokyo’s vibrant creative industry, fostering innovation and artistic excellence.

Key information

• Location: Tokyo, JP
• Ranking #700
• QS #700
• National ranking #1
• Institution type: public

Popular faculties

• Fine Arts
• Music
• Design
• Architecture
• Film and Media Arts

Programs (3)

• Art and Design
• Fine Arts
• Music

Student body

• Total students: 3,500
• Undergraduate: 2,500
• Graduate: 1,000
• International students: 10%

Campus life

Geidai offers a highly creative and immersive campus life focused on artistic development. Students spend much of their time in studios, rehearsal spaces, and performance halls. The university hosts exhibitions, concerts, and festivals where students present their work. Its location in Ueno, Tokyo’s cultural district, provides direct access to major museums, galleries, and concert halls, creating a vibrant artistic environment.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: $400 - $900 / per month

Housing options

• On-campus dormitories
• artist residences
• private apartments
• shared rentals

Student clubs and organizations

• Art clubs
• music ensembles
• theater groups
• film clubs
• cultural clubs
• exhibition groups

Sports

• Tennis
• basketball
• soccer
• athletics teams

Career & internships

Employment rate: 90%

Partner companies

• NHK
• Studio Ghibli
• Sony Music
• Toho
• Dentsu
• TeamLab

Internships: Tokyo University of the Arts provides extensive practice-based and industry-integrated internship opportunities. Students regularly participate in exhibitions, concerts, film productions, and design projects that function as real-world professional experience. The university collaborates with museums, galleries, orchestras, media companies, animation studios, and design firms in Tokyo and internationally. Internships may include assisting professional artists, curators, or production teams, working on commissioned projects, and participating in international art festivals. Many programs integrate internships directly into the curriculum, allowing students to build portfolios and professional networks. Career support services help students secure placements in creative industries, including partnerships with cultural institutions and global art organizations.

Admission requirements

Required tests

• IELTS
• TOEFL

Required documents

• Academic transcripts
• diploma
• portfolio
• entrance exam results
• language certificate
• recommendation letters
• personal statement
• passport copy

Minimum GPA: 3.3

Tuition costs

• $3,500 - $6,000 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 20.00%
• Scholarships available: Geidai offers scholarships including MEXT (Japanese Government), JASSO, and internal merit-based scholarships. These may cover tuition, provide monthly stipends, and support artistic projects. Additional grants are available for exhibitions, performances, and international exchange programs.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1887
• Teaching languages: english, japanese
• Study formats: offline

Contact

• Website: https://www.geidai.ac.jp
• +81 3 3828 2111